Editing Nine Radio (section)

==History==
The company was formerly a publicly-listed company and originally founded in 1938 as the '''Macquarie Broadcasting Service''', adopting the name "Macquarie Media" after being acquired by [[Fairfax Media]] in 2015.

=== Origins ===
[[2GB]], one of [[Sydney]]'s premier commercial radio stations, was founded by Theosophical Broadcasting Station Pty Ltd. in 1926, a division of [[Theosophical Society Adyar]]. 
In January 1936, in the depths of the [[Great Depression]], 2GB and [[2UE]] formed an alliance, '''Broadcasting Service Association''' (BSA), to share production facilities for producing radio drama and other locally produced entertainment, which was hugely popular and in better times highly lucrative. The BSA was under joint management of Alfred Edward Bennett and Cecil Vincent Stevenson, managing directors of 2GB and 2UE respectively.
That same year, the controlling interest in 2GB was purchased by Denison Estates Ltd. A new board of directors was appointed under chairman [[Hugh Denison]] and included A. E. Bennett, who continued as station manager, and Frederick Daniell.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17287755 |title=Station 2GB |newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=30,847 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=13 November 1936 |access-date=28 October 2017 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

In early February 1937 A. E. Bennett hosted a peak conference of commercial radio interests of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with a view to expanding the organisation into an inter-state network to secure additional outlets for their material. Those present included Sir John Butters, chairman of BSA, R. E. Denison and Frederick Daniell, representing Denison Estates Ltd.; V. F. Mitchell of 4BC Brisbane; George Bennett, George Millar and Charles A. Fletcher of 2GB Sydney; C. V. Stevenson and Sydney S. E. Baume (brother of [[Eric Baume]])<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236315119 |title=Eric Baume's Brother Suddenly Leaves Job |newspaper=[[Daily News (Sydney)]] |volume=1 |issue=31 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=6 January 1939 |access-date=29 October 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> of 2UE Sydney; John T. Taylor of [[3AW]] Melbourne; Gordon Marsh of [[Cruise 1323|5DN]] Adelaide; Clive Ogilvy and A. J. "Jack" Ryan of [[2CA]] Canberra; Russell A. Yeldon of [[96.5 Wave FM|2WL]] Wollongong; Eric and O. Robinson of [[Hit106.9 Newcastle|2HR]] Hunter River; J. J. Armitage and D. R. Armstrong of Broadcasting Service Association Ltd.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230799639 |title=Radio Network System |newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |issue=8457 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 February 1937 |access-date=28 October 2017 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In November the same year Bennett was sacked<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231124717 |title=Verdict for A. E. Bennett |newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |issue=9028 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=12 December 1938 |access-date=28 October 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> by Denison and Butters from both his managerial position with 2GB and as a director of BSA, though public pronouncements had him resigning voluntarily. Harold Gordon Horner, New South Wales manager for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission]], was appointed to take his place.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232015271 |title=Changes in 2GB |newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |issue=8696 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=17 November 1937 |access-date=28 October 2017 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

=== Macquarie Broadcasting (1938–2015) ===
In July 1938 [[Sir Hugh Denison]] announced a further expansion and reorganisation of the company as the '''Macquarie Broadcasting Service''' with a capital of [[Australian pound|A£]]250,000. The board consisted of Sir Hugh as chairman, Frederick Daniell as executive director, and George Millar as secretary; other founding directors were R. E. Denison, N. L. Shaw, C. Don Service, and S. S. Crick. H. G. Horner of 2GB, and C. V. Stevenson of 2UE were appointed advisory directors on broadcasting and technical matters respectively. George Anderson of [[Triple M Central West|2GZ]] was appointed network sales manager. Affiliated stations in the new network were [[2CA]] Canberra; [[2GB]] and [[2UE]] Sydney; [[96.5 Wave FM|2WL]] South Coast; [[Hit106.9 Newcastle|2HR]] Hunter River; [[3AW]] Melbourne; [[Ace Radio|3HA]] Hamilton; [[TRFM|3TR]] Sale; [[3SH]] Swan Hill; [[4BH]] Brisbane; [[Cruise 1323|5DN]] Adelaide; [[5RM]] Renmark; [[6PR]] Perth; [[RadioWest|6KG]] Kalgoorlie. Head office was at Savoy House, 29 Bligh Street, Sydney, and the Melbourne office at 37 [[Queen Street, Melbourne|Queen Street]].{{cn|date=December 2023}}

The new company purchased the worldwide transcription business of 2GB and BSA and placed under the direction of Frederick Daniell, with sales managed by Clive Ogilvy and [[Grace Gibson]]. The BSA Players were reorganised as the Macquarie Players, with their recording studios "Macquarie Productions" at [[Pagewood]] and at 296 [[Pitt Street]] and 29 Bligh Street. Contracted actors included [[James Raglan]], [[Lou Vernon]], [[Peter Finch]], Betty Suttor and Harry Dearth.<ref>Lane, Richard ''The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama'' [[Melbourne University Press]] 1994 {{ISBN|0-522-84556-8}}</ref> The company became a major shareholder in Australian and New Zealand Theatres, which had taken over the entertainment business [[JC Williamson's]], and in Broadcast Enterprises of [[London]]. The Radio Theatre Guild was taken over as an organisation for training and developing talent. The record production, cutting and pressing business Featuradio was purchased and reorganised as Australian Record Company under management of Charles H. Gendle.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229134023 |title=Radio Company Formed |newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |issue=1841 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 July 1938 |access-date=28 October 2017 |page=15 (News Section) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

{{anchor|awards}}<!---for redirect--->During the 1950s, the Macquarie Broadcasting Service and [[2GB]] Radio awarded the Macquarie Awards for theatrical performances.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18357572 |title=Macquarie Awards |newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=35,929 |date=16 February 1953 |access-date=27 December 2023 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} </ref>

From inception and until the early 1960s, the network was renowned for its high quality productions of variety programs, quizzes, dramas and serials. Most of these programs originated from Sydney. One of the most important Macquarie drama series was [[The General Motors Hour]], 15 episodes of which can be accessed online.<ref>https://archive.org/details/thegeneralmotorshour.au {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

As well as being heard on all of the network's affiliates, right across the country, many Macquarie programs were also syndicated to non-network stations. With the coming of television in 1956, the radio audience for these types of programs dropped. Macquarie stations solved the ''problem'' by quickly increasing their news, talk, commentary and current affairs content.<ref name="R.R. Walker 1973">"The Magic Spark", R.R. Walker, 1973, The Hawthorn Press.</ref>

In 1973, a significant year because it was the 50th anniversary of broadcasting in Australia, the Macquarie Network had the following affiliates: 2GB Sydney; [[2CA]] Canberra; [[Parkes, New South Wales|2PK]] Parkes; [[96.5 Wave FM|2WL]] Wollongong; [[3AW]] Melbourne; [[Magic 882|4BH]] Brisbane; [[4BU]] Bundaberg; [[4GY]] Gympie; [[Cruise 1323|5DN]] Adelaide; [[6IX]] Perth; [[RadioWest South West|6BY]] Bunbury; [[RadioWest|6MD]] Merredin; [[RadioWest|6WB]] Katanning; [[7HO FM|7HO]] Hobart.<ref name="R.R. Walker 1973"/>

During the 1930s to 1970s period, there were a number of other commercial radio networks, another key one being the [[Major Broadcasting Network|Major Network]]. Other former radio networks include: Federal Network; Associated Broadcasters of Australia; [[AWA Technology Services|AWA Broadcasting]]. There were also a number of State-based networks.

By the late 1980s Macquarie had become Australia's only national commercial radio network. However, during the last three decades, a number of new networks have arisen, including the [[Southern Cross Austereo|Macquarie Regional RadioWorks]], unrelated to the Macquarie Radio Network. In 2007, 13 networks owned or controlled 80 per cent of the 261 Australian commercial radio stations<ref>Griffen-Foley, Bridget, ''Changing Stations: The Story of Australian Commercial Radio'', UNSW Press, 2009; referenced as ''Commercial Radio: A Snapshot'', CRA, Sydney, 2007</ref> 

In 2010, Macquarie entered a joint venture with [[Pacific Star Network]] to relaunch Melbourne radio station [[3MP]] as [[Melbourne Talk Radio|MTR 1377]]. On 2 March 2012, MTR ceased operations when Pacific Star was unable to pay any monies owed to Macquarie.<ref name=noworries>{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Ben|last2=Battersby|first2=Lucy|title='No worries' as MTR goes off the air|url=http://www.theage.com.au/business/no-worries-as-mtr-goes-off-the-air-20120302-1u7ji.html|access-date=5 March 2012|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|date=2 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304192120/http://www.theage.com.au/business/no-worries-as-mtr-goes-off-the-air-20120302-1u7ji.html|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 31 August 2011, Macquarie acquired the Smart Radio Network which encompasses [[4VL]], [[West FM (Queensland)|Triple C FM]], [[4HI]], [[4ZR]], [[Mount Isa#Radio|4LM]], [[4SB]] and [[Hot Country]] network at a cost of $6&nbsp;million. These stations are part of Macquarie Regional Radio, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Macquarie Radio Network.

=== Macquarie Media (2015–2019) ===
In December 2014, Macquarie announced that it had agreed to a [[Mergers and Acquisitions|merger]] with [[Fairfax Media#Radio|Fairfax Media]]. Under the deal, Fairfax gained a 55% share in the Macquarie Radio Network, with Macquarie's existing shareholders holding the remaining 45%.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Janda|first1=Michael|title=Fairfax and Macquarie to merge radio network|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/fairfax-macquarie-to-merge-radio-stations/5982594|access-date=9 April 2015|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619142119/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/fairfax-macquarie-to-merge-radio-stations/5982594|archive-date=19 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> To comply with legislation only allowing two radio licences to be held by one party in each market, stations [[2CH]] and [[Mount Isa#Radio|4LM]] were sold;<ref>{{cite news|title=Macquarie Radio Network to sell two radio stations|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/macquarie-radio-network-sell-two-radio-stations|access-date=9 April 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415153710/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/macquarie-radio-network-sell-two-radio-stations|archive-date=15 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and the merger was completed in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=And the deal is done...finally!|url=http://radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/6698-and-the-deal-is-done-finally.html|access-date=1 April 2015|work=Radio Today|date=31 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401003621/http://radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/6698-and-the-deal-is-done-finally.html|archive-date=1 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MRN Fairfax merger complete|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/mrn-fairfax-merger-complete|access-date=1 April 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402150412/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/mrn-fairfax-merger-complete|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=aust-no-news>{{cite news |last1=Sinclair|first1=Lara |title=2UE News to go off air as newsroom merges with 2GB |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/ue-news-to-go-off-air-as-newsroom-merges-with-2gb/story-e6frg996-1227297386479 |access-date=11 April 2015 |work=[[The Australian]]|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=fairfax-merge-macq>{{cite press release |title=Completion of Fairfax Radio Network Merger with Macquarie Radio Network |url=http://www.fairfaxmedia.com.au/pressroom/au---nz-press-room/au---nz-press-room/completion-of-fairfax-radio-network-merger-with-macquarie-radio-network |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] |access-date=11 April 2015 |date=31 March 2015 |quote=Fairfax Media Limited ... today announced the completion of the merger of its Fairfax Radio Network ... with Macquarie Radio Network ... |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406174628/http://www.fairfaxmedia.com.au/pressroom/au---nz-press-room/au---nz-press-room/completion-of-fairfax-radio-network-merger-with-macquarie-radio-network |archive-date=6 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2015 a number of programming changes occurred at Macquarie's stations. At 4BC Brisbane, Breakfast presenters Ian Skippen and Loretta Ryan, Mornings host Patrick Condren, Nights host Walter Williams and Weekend Breakfast presenter Murray Shoring were dismissed, as well as sister [[Magic 882]] Nights' presenter Jo Henderson. In total, 18 positions were cut, and programming replaced by networked shows from 2GB and 2UE.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.4bc.com.au/news/media-statement-from-4bc-20150410-1migjp.html |title=Media Statement from 4BC |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 April 2015 |website=4BC |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411115734/http://www.4bc.com.au/news/media-statement-from-4bc-20150410-1migjp.html |archive-date=11 April 2015  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Axe falls at 4BC and Magic 882|url=http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/6755-axe-falls-at-4bc.html|access-date=13 April 2015|work=Radio Today|date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413083147/http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/6755-axe-falls-at-4bc.html|archive-date=13 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Nathanael|title=Plug pulled on 4BC Brisbane boss|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/plug-pulled-on-4bc-brisbane-boss/story-fnn7l51k-1227302427595|access-date=21 April 2015|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414041939/http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/plug-pulled-on-4bc-brisbane-boss/story-fnn7l51k-1227302427595|archive-date=14 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In Sydney, [[2UE]]'s afternoon announcer [[Angela Catterns]] was dismissed, as was the entire newsroom, and the station's news services were replaced by the Macquarie's national news service<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christensen|first1=Nic|title=Macquarie/Fairfax Radio merger described as 'hostile takeover' as 2UE axes Angela Catterns|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/macquariefairfax-radio-merger-described-as-hostile-takeover-as-2ue-axes-angela-catterns-286646|access-date=13 April 2015|work=[[Mumbrella]]|date=11 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413112734/http://mumbrella.com.au/macquariefairfax-radio-merger-described-as-hostile-takeover-as-2ue-axes-angela-catterns-286646|archive-date=13 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> – while in Melbourne all of [[Magic 1278]]'s lineup and most of the production team was cut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Magic gone from Magic! Entire on air line-up sacked|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/magic-gone-magic-entire-air-line-sacked|access-date=13 April 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016191324/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/magic-gone-magic-entire-air-line-sacked|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 30 October 2015 it was announced the company had divested its regional assets, selling eight radio stations to [[Resonate Broadcasting]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Queensland radio company triples its size with latest acquisition|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/queensland-radio-company-triples-its-size-latest-acquisition|access-date=31 October 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031123933/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/queensland-radio-company-triples-its-size-latest-acquisition|archive-date=31 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Resonate buy MRN regional network|url=http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/7935-resonate-buy-mrn-regional-network.html|access-date=31 October 2015|work=Radio Today|date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031123716/http://www.radiotoday.com.au/news/whats-new/7935-resonate-buy-mrn-regional-network.html|archive-date=31 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 November it was announced that all of Magic 882's programming – with the exception of nights – would be networked from [[Magic 1278]] in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news|title=MRN announces changes to build a 'Magic Network'|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/mrn-announces-changes-build-magic-network|access-date=8 November 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=6 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310030942/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/mrn-announces-changes-build-magic-network|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 November 2015 the company changed its name to '''Macquarie Media''' Limited.<ref>{{cite news|title=Macquarie Radio Network to change name|url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/macquarie-radio-network-change-name|access-date=25 October 2015|work=Radioinfo.com.au|date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307063458/https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/macquarie-radio-network-change-name|archive-date=7 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Following its merger with Fairfax in 2018, Nine acquired [[John Singleton (Australian entrepreneur)|John Singleton]]'s share in the company in 2019, increasing its stake in the company to 87%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/singleton-sells-macquarie-stake-to-nine-carnegie-expected-to-follow-20190924-p52u9l |title=Singleton sells Macquarie stake to Nine, Carnegie expected to follow |work=[[Australian Financial Review]] |date=24 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924052434/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/singleton-sells-macquarie-stake-to-nine-carnegie-expected-to-follow-20190924-p52u9l |archive-date=24 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2019 Nine increased its shareholding to over 90% after purchasing stakes from Mark Carnegie (3.6 percent) and [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] (1.3 percent) to allow Nine to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/carnegie-cashes-his-stake-macquarie-media |title=Carnegie cashes in his stake in Macquarie Media |work=Radio Info |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004125635/https://radioinfo.com.au/news/carnegie-cashes-his-stake-macquarie-media |archive-date=4 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-secures-takeover-of-macquarie-media-as-alan-jones-mark-carnegie-accept-offer-20191004-p52xl0.html |title=Nine secures takeover of Macquarie Media as Alan Jones, Mark Carnegie accept offer |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=4 October 2019 |access-date=4 October 2019 |author=Duke, Jennifer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004150810/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-secures-takeover-of-macquarie-media-as-alan-jones-mark-carnegie-accept-offer-20191004-p52xl0.html |archive-date=4 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2020, Nine confirmed that the Macquarie Media brand would be phased out.<ref>[https://mumbrella.com.au/nine-drops-macquarie-media-branding-for-radio-assets-612111 NEWSNine drops Macquarie Media branding for radio assets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106082136/https://mumbrella.com.au/nine-drops-macquarie-media-branding-for-radio-assets-612111 |date=6 January 2020 }} ''[[Mumbrella]]'' 6 January 2020</ref>

===Nine Radio (2020–present)===
On 21 January 2020, Nine Radio announced they would close the [[Macquarie Sports Radio]] network in February, reverting stations to their pre–2016 brands—[[2UE]], [[4BH]] and [[Magic 1278]]—with a [[classic hits]] music format. In April, [[Steven Jacobs (television presenter)|Steve Jacobs]] was announced as breakfast presenter of the music stations, commencing 27 April.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Challenor |first1=Jake |title=Steve Jacobs to host breakfast on Nine's music stations |url=https://www.radiotoday.com.au/stevie-jacobs-nine-radio-breakfast/ |access-date=19 April 2020 |work=Radio Today (Australia) |date=19 April 2020}}</ref>